We are a little behind on this weeks post...Ryan has been a bit grumpy this week and has not made many windows available to post (or do much of anything else, like sleep!) Currently he's asleep in his moses basket in the bathroom since we have discvered the fan keeps him asleep. Max is at his grad classes all day today (he had them last night too) and soon Ryan and I are headed on our first public outting alone—the bridal studio to see my sister Kirstyn try on dresses. Poor guy is already havig to do chick things and he's only 5 weeks old.

Ryan had his 1 month check up Monday. It went well! He's now a whopping 10lbs 2oz, and 22.5 inches long. He has developed some sort of contact rash (most likely heat rash from us over bundling him given tha the temp with the wind chill here is -10!) but the rash is on the way out. All in all, it was a great check up and he's thriving.

Last Sunday Ryan had his first "photoshoot" a friend of mine who is a gifted commercial photographer, Bob Neumann of Big Event Studios, offered to take Ryan's portraits. I have included some highlights below. Bob did an amazing job and we are so thankful for his time and generosity. He truly captured our little guy!

You can see the entire shoot at our photosite maxandcourt.shutterfly.com. Note that there are two photo galleries of the same pictures. The top one, labeled (square) is the images in their original format. Knowing that many of our family members are ordering prints from shutterfly, we made a second gallery labeled (standard) that will allow those who want prints to order pictures in 4 x 6, 5 x 7, 8 x 10 sizes since the square images require cutting down and special frames. We hope you enjoy them as much as we have.

I hear Ryan waking so I should run. By the way, we owe many of you thank you notes for all our YOUR generosity. Please know that we are far from ungrateful....just learning how to juggle all the balls.

love to you all,
Court, Max and Ryan

Photos Uploaded!

Hi all,
We've had questions about how to download pictures for printing. Just visit our photo site and you can order them from shutterfly direct. We just uploaded a ton of new photos there today!

maxandcourt.shutterfly.com

We've also been asked to post our address: 109 Mayfield NE, Grand Rapids MI 49503

2009

Hi all,
Time for our weekly update. Yes, we are promising to keep it weekly from here on out.
Ryan is doing well and almost over his first cold. Of course, I now have it, so let the passing of germs begin! Other than that, Ryan is gaining weight, as you'll be able to see in these photos, and making lots of eye contact. He's very strong and has a grip like his dad's. We're loving getting to know him. Max returned back to work today to the warm welcomes of his co-workers, many of whom covered him while he was away for so long. (Thanks to each of you for allowing Max to make the transition into fatherhood seamless.) I also left Ryan for the first time with my mom for a doc appointment and did not go crazy with worry (he was in good hands). It was a day of firsts!

On another note, we'd like to ask for prayer requests on behalf of both of our grandmothers. Max's 95-year old grandmother was recently moved into hospice after breaking her pelvis and then going downhill from there. The situation is grave so we are praying for a quick and painless passing, as well as strength and courage for Max's entire family.

In addition, my paternal grandmother returned to the hospital this weekend for the third time in the last month with what the doctor's believe is congestive heart failure. The prognosis is not good and my parent's are on their way right now to Toledo to be with her. Pray that she is relieved of her pain and that she can somehow recover from such a grim situation.

As always, thanks to each of you for your love and support! It is felt.
Courtney, Max & Ryan

And he sleeps! Ryan finally likes thins thing.

Wide-eyed and looking so much like his dad's baby photos. His hair has tons of red in it and I think his eyes will turn blue.

Max and I always take self portraits, but as you can see, we have a ways to go now that we have to fit three faces in the frame. This is us watching the ball drop on New Years Eve.

Nursing time. Ryan eats every 2.5 hours and takes an hour long meal each time. Right now, I feel like all I do is sit around topless!

Thank you to Grandma and Grandpa Kerry! Max HATES the "Ithaca is Gorges" theme shirts that all the hippies and tourists in his hometown wear. I of course LOVE them and have two. It's only fitting that Ryan's first shirt is a tie-dyed onsie! He will wear it often.